Alpharetta, Georgia, USA, 16 July 2009 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (NYSE: SWM) today announced the formalization of a supply agreement with British American Tobacco Australia Limited (BATA) for papers to produce lower ignition propensity (LIP) cigarettes for the Australian market.

The company is pleased to have formed a supply partnership with BATA. The multiyear supply agreement covers papers that use Schweitzer-Mauduit's Alginex water-based technology, a proprietary process. 

Australia has passed legislation that requires all cigarettes manufactured in or imported into Australia to be LIP-compliant, effective 23 March 2010.

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. is a diversified producer of premium specialty papers and the world's largest supplier of fine papers to the tobacco industry. It also manufactures specialty papers for other applications. Schweitzer-Mauduit and its subsidiaries conduct business in more than 90 countries and employ 3200 people worldwide, with operations in the United States, France, Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia, Canada, and a joint venture in China. For further information, visit www.schweitzer-mauduit.com.